U.S. patent number 9,129,494 [Application Number 13/713,886] was granted by the patent office on 2015-09-08 for alarming pusher system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Southern Imperial, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Jorg Niederhufner, Thomas E. Valiulis. Invention is credited to Jorg Niederhufner, Thomas E. Valiulis.
United States Patent |
9,129,494 |
Valiulis , et al. |
September 8, 2015 |
Alarming pusher system
Abstract
An alarm device configured to monitor retail merchandise on a
retail pusher system is provided. The alarm device includes a
triggering mechanism that activates an alarm when retail
merchandise is removed from the retail pusher system. The alarm
makes store personnel aware that retail merchandise has been
removed from a particular pusher system. In certain embodiments of
the invention, the alarm device is disposed on a front stop of the
retail pusher system. A biasing member of the pusher system biases
retail merchandise into a switch of the alarm device. In this
configuration, the alarm device may include a plunger switch that
activates an alarm when retail merchandise is not biased into the
plunger switch.
Inventors: |
Valiulis; Thomas E. (Rockford,
IL), Niederhufner; Jorg (Rockford, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Valiulis; Thomas E.
Niederhufner; Jorg |
Rockford
Rockford |
IL
IL |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Southern Imperial, Inc.
(Rockford, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
50930235 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/713,886 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140167962 A1 |
Jun 19, 2014 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
9/026 (20130101); A47F 1/126 (20130101); G08B
13/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
13/14 (20060101); A47F 1/12 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/309.4,500,502,527,528,539.16,566,568.8,686.1,691.5 ;211/59.3
;200/4,461,524,530 ;700/224,231 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1 256 296 |
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EP |
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1 541 064 |
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EP |
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1 541 064 |
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EP |
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2 304 102 |
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2 360 514 |
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1001794 |
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Jun 1997 |
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WO 91/03967 |
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Apr 1991 |
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WO |
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WO 2004/083051 |
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Sep 2004 |
|
WO |
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WO 2005/107535 |
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Nov 2005 |
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WO |
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Other References
POS Tuning--fur mehr Erfolg am Point of Sale: POS T-Product Pusher;
http://www.postuning.de/69.0.html?&L=2; website; Mar. 29, 2006;
1 page. cited by applicant .
POS Tuning--fur mehr Erfolg am Point of Sale: The POS T-Systemtray;
http://www.postuning.de/68.0.html?L=2; website; Mar. 29, 2006; 1
page. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Obiniyi; Paul
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren
P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A retail merchandise pusher system, comprising: a merchandise
guide track for supporting retail merchandise displayed on the
pusher system; a pusher plate operatively connected to a biasing
mechanism configured to bias the pusher plate in a biasing
direction along the merchandise guide track; a front stop having a
front surface facing away from the retail merchandise and a back
surface facing towards the retail merchandise, the front stop
configured to prevent retail merchandise from being pushed off the
pusher system by the pusher plate; and an alarm device mechanically
fixed against the back surface of the front stop and operatively
configured to activate an alarm when retail merchandise is removed
from the pusher system, the alarm device including an outer housing
and an internal audible tone generation device carried within the
housing, wherein the alarm device is mechanically fixed to the
front stop by a first hook-shaped projection and a second
hook-shaped projection, the first and second hook-shaped
projections each have a contact portion and a distal portion, the
contact portion extends perpendicularly from an inner facing
surface of the front stop and the distal portion curves back toward
a center axis transverse to the biasing direction, wherein the
triggering device is a plunger switch located on a front surface of
the alarm device, and further comprising a remote control that
allows a user to deactivate the alarm.
2. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 1, wherein the
alarm device is fixed to the front stop by foam adhesive strips
configured to adhere a back surface of the alarm device to the
front stop.
3. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 1, wherein the
alarm device includes a triggering mechanism that activates an
alarm when retail merchandise is removed from the pusher
system.
4. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 1, wherein the
plunger switch faces the pusher plate such that the pusher plate
biases retail merchandise into the plunger switch.
5. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 4, wherein the
plunger switch is actuated under one ounce of pressure.
6. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 3, wherein the
triggering mechanism is a contact switch.
7. The retail merchandise pusher system of claim 3, wherein the
triggering mechanism is a light sensitive switch.
8. An alarm device configured to monitor retail merchandise
displayed on a retail pusher system, comprising: an outer housing
having a front surface oriented to face retail merchandise
displayed on a retail pusher system; the outer housing further
comprising a back surface configured for attachment to a front stop
of the retail pusher system; and a switch located on the front
surface and oriented to interact with the retail merchandise
displayed on the retail pusher system such that a lead item of the
retail merchandise will contact the switch upon being biased
forward by the retail pusher system, wherein the switch is
electrically coupled to an internal audible tone generation device
carried within the housing, wherein the alarm device is
mechanically fixed to the front stop by a first hook-shaped
projection and a second hook-shaped projection, the first and
second hook-shaped projections each have a contact portion and a
distal portion, the contact portion extends perpendicularly from an
inner facing surface of the front stop and the distal portion
curves back toward a center axis transverse to the biasing
direction, wherein the triggering device is a plunger switch
located on a front surface of the alarm device, and further
comprising a remote control that allows a user to deactivate the
alarm.
9. The alarm device of claim 8, wherein the back surface includes
at least one foam adhesive strip configured to adhere the alarm
device to the front stop of the retail pusher system.
10. The alarm device of claim 8, wherein the switch is a plunger
switch that activates an alarm when the plunger switch is not
engaged.
11. The alarm device of claim 8, wherein the back surface includes
a resonant structure configured to allow an alarm to sound from the
alarm device.
12. The alarm device of claim 8, wherein the switch is a contact
switch.
13. The alarm device of claim 9, wherein the switch is a light
sensitive switch.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to pusher systems, in particular,
to a pusher system employed with an alarm to prevent retail
theft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Theft is a large problem in the retail industry. To combat theft of
merchandise, the retail industry has utilized many products, such
as alarming fixtures, Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tag
systems, and locking mechanisms used to secure items.
Traditional alarming systems will activate an alarm to warn
employees when a product has been removed from a display. As such,
when a legitimate customer would like to purchase merchandise
protected by these traditional alarm systems, it requires a store
clerk to unlock the merchandise from the display protected by the
alarming system. This type of retail theft deterrent is similar to
a simple locking fixture, which merely secures the merchandise to
the display. Both the alarming system and the locking fixture
require a customer to first ask a store clerk to remove the
merchandise from the display prior to purchasing the merchandise.
Research in the retail industry has shown that merchandise that
requires a store clerk to retrieve causes a gradual loss in
sales.
An EAS tag system is used in conjunction with a gate, usually at
the exit of the retail store. These systems typically require that
each item of retail merchandise be fixed with a tag that will cause
an alarm to activate if the merchandise is moved beyond the gate.
Therefore, a store clerk will need to remove the tag subsequent to
the customers purchasing the merchandise. The requirement for each
retail merchandise item to be tagged means that many tags will need
to be used, which will cut into the overhead cost of operating a
retail store. Further, the store clerk will need to take the
additional time to remove the tag that could be used to service
other customers.
A pusher system is a popular device used to "face" merchandise,
i.e. bias the merchandise to the leading edge of a retail shelf. A
general description of a typical pusher system may be found at U.S.
Pat. App. Pub. No. 2007/0267364 A1, the teachings and disclosure of
which are hereinafter incorporated by reference.
A typical pusher system contains merchandise in an organized line
or row. As a front most item is removed, a pusher of the pusher
system biases the entire line or row forward such that the next
item in the line or row, now the front most item is biased forward
until it engages a stop of the pusher system that prevents further
movement of the row.
Utilizing an alarming fixture, an EAS tag system, or a locking
system on a pusher system retail display is inconvenient for the
same reasons discussed above. Therefore, what is needed is a pusher
system with an alarming system that does not require a store clerk
to remove the merchandise from the display or remove a tag affixed
to the merchandise prior to a customer purchasing said
merchandise.
The invention provides such an alarming pusher system. These and
other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive
features, will be apparent from the description of the invention
provided herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, an embodiment of the invention provides a retail
merchandise pusher system that includes a retail merchandise guide
track, a pusher plate, a front stop, and an alarm device. The
merchandise guide track supports retail merchandise displayed on
the pusher system. The pusher plate is operatively connected to a
biasing mechanism configured to bias the pusher plate in a biasing
direction along the merchandise guide track. The front stop is
configured to prevent retail merchandise from being pushed off the
pusher system by the pusher plate. The alarm device is operatively
configured to activate an alarm when retail merchandise is removed
from the pusher system.
In another aspect of the retail merchandise pusher system, the
alarm device is mechanically fixed to the front stop by a first
hook-shaped projection and a second hook-shaped projection. The
first and second hook-shaped projections each have a contact
portion and a distal portion. The contact portion extends
perpendicularly from an inner facing surface of the front stop, and
the distal portion curves back toward a center axis transverse to
the biasing direction.
In yet another aspect of the retail merchandise pusher system, the
alarm device is fixed to the front stop by foam adhesive strips.
The foam adhesive strips are configured to adhere to a back surface
of the alarm device to the front stop of the pusher system.
In another aspect, an embodiment of the invention provides an alarm
device configured to monitor merchandise displayed on a retail
pusher system. The alarm device includes a front surface, a back
surface, and a switch. The front surface is oriented to face retail
merchandise displayed on the retail pusher system. The back surface
is operatively attached to a front stop of the retail pusher
system, and the switch is located on the front surface of the alarm
device. The switch is also oriented to interact with the retail
merchandise displayed on the retail pusher system.
In another aspect, an embodiment of the invention provides a method
of alerting retail store personnel of removal of retail merchandise
from a retail pusher system. The method includes the steps of
biasing retail merchandise to engage a triggering mechanism of an
alarm device configured to monitor retail merchandise displayed on
a retail pusher system. The method also includes activating a timed
alarm when the triggering mechanism is not reengaged.
In yet another aspect, the method of alerting retail store
personnel further includes waiting a predetermined period of time
after expiration of the timed alarm, and activating a second timed
alarm if the triggering mechanism is not reengaged within the
predetermined period of time. After expiration of the second timed
alarm, the method waits a predetermined second period of time, and
activates a final alarm if the triggering mechanism is not
reengaged.
Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the
specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention
and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles
of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pusher
system including merchandise and an alarming device according to
the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pusher system of FIG. 1 that
illustrates the front of the alarming device;
FIG. 3 is a an up-close view of the alarming device secured to a
front face of the pusher system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an
alarming device according to the teachings of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the alarming device of FIG. 4;
and
FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of instituting an
alarm in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
While the invention will be described in connection with certain
preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those
embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a pusher system 100 with an alarm device 102.
The pusher system 100 includes sidewalls 134, 136 (see FIG. 2) and
a pusher plate 106, which biases merchandise 104 toward the front
stop 108. An alarm device 102 is securely attached to an inside
face 138 (see FIG. 2) of front stop 108 such that merchandise 104
is biased into a triggering mechanism 112 (see FIG. 2) for the
alarm device 102.
FIG. 2 illustrates a further perspective view of the pusher system
100 with an alarm device 102 shown in FIG. 1. In this view, the
merchandise has been removed to show a merchandise guide track
formed by inner guide rails 140, 142 and outer guide rails 156,
158. The pusher plate 106 slides along the guide rails 140, 142 in
a biasing direction 114. The pusher plate 106 slides under force
from a biasing mechanism such as an elastic band or a spring drive
system. As such, the pusher plate 106 forces merchandise 104 (see
FIG. 1) through a merchandise channel formed by the pusher plate
106, the sidewalls 134, 136, and the front stop 108.
FIG. 2 further illustrates the triggering mechanism 112 of the
alarm device 102. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.
2, the triggering mechanism 112 takes the form of a plunger switch
112. Typically, the plunger switch 112 will have a very light
spring weight such that it is actuated under minimal pressure,
approximately 1 ounce of weight should be capable of depressing a
plunger of the plunger switch 112.
When the pusher system 100 is stocked with merchandise 104, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, the pusher plate 106 biases the merchandise
104, in the biasing direction 114, into the plunger switch 112. In
this configuration, the alarm device 102 is not activated. If a
customer removes merchandise from the pusher system 100, then the
plunger switch 112 will be released for a brief period as pusher
system 100 moves additional product in the biasing direction 114.
This causes the alarm device 102 to initiate an alarm that warns
employees of the retail store that merchandise 104 has been removed
from the pusher system 100. Once the pusher plate 106 pushes the
remaining merchandise into the plunger switch 112, the alarm will
stop.
As such, the alarm device 102 acts to inform employees of the
retail merchandise store that merchandise 104 is active. For retail
merchandise 104 to be active it is either being restocked or
removed. Therefore, when one of those actions occurs, the alarm
device 102 will inform both the customer that the merchandise 104
is being monitored and the store employees that merchandise 104 is
active.
While in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 the triggering
mechanism 112 is a plunger switch, one of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the triggering mechanism 112 could be
implemented using a variety of other switches. For example, the
triggering mechanism 112 could be in the form of a contact switch,
or a light sensitive switch. Further, multiple types of light
sensitive switches are contemplated, such as proximity detectors,
infrared sensors, electro-optical sensors, or photodetectors.
In certain embodiments, the alarm is a timed alarm, which shuts off
after the expiration of a specific amount of time as opposed to
actuation of the triggering mechanism 112. However, in other
embodiments, the alarm will only shut off when turned off either by
a key or a remote control 170, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
In the configuration where the alarm is shut off using the remote
control 170, the remote control 170 may be a short distance remote
control 170 that operates only within a six foot radius around the
remote control 170. Further, the alarm will only shut off for ten
seconds prior to monitoring the merchandise once again. Therefore,
if the triggering mechanism 112 is still not engaged, then the
alarm will sound again.
In another embodiment, the alarm will sound for a longer period
when the triggering mechanism 112 is actuated several times in a
relatively short period of time. For instance, if the triggering
mechanism is actuated four or more times within a ten second period
of time the alarm may sound for thirty seconds or more. In other
embodiments, if the triggering mechanism 112 is actuated several
times within a short period of time, the alarm may sound
indefinitely until a store employee manually shuts the alarm
off.
Further, in certain embodiments, once the final item of merchandise
104 has been removed from the pusher system 100, the pusher plate
may stop short of triggering the plunger switch 112 such that the
alarm is constantly initiated so to indicate to employees of the
retail store that all of the merchandise 104 has been removed from
the pusher system 100. In this capacity, the alarm device 102 can
be used to indicate to the retail store employees that merchandise
104 needs to be restocked.
In another embodiment, the alarm initiated by the alarm device 102
may be an audible alarm that both warns the employees of the retail
store that merchandise has been removed and warns the customer that
the product is being monitored. However, in other embodiments, the
alarm may be silent by indicating to an employee tasked with
monitoring merchandise that product has been removed from a
specific pusher system 100.
Additionally, the alarm device 102 may be equipped to send a signal
to a receiver 180 that communicates with a monitoring station 190
being watched by a store employee. In certain embodiments, the
monitoring station 190 may receive e-mail notifications from the
receiver 180 that is in communication with the alarm device 112. In
other embodiments, the monitoring station 190 may be as small as a
portable device equipped with software that allows the device to
monitor each alarm device 102. As such, the portable device may be
a cellular phone, tablet, or pager.
Furthermore, in another embodiment of the invention where the alarm
may or may not be silent, the alarm device 102 communicates with
the receiver 180 which in turn may transmit a message to a store
pager system, which acts as the monitoring station 190. The message
would trigger the store pager system to announce that help is
needed in the section of the store where the alarm device 102 is
located.
Additionally, FIGS. 1-2 illustrate only a single alarm device 102
being associated with a single pusher system 100. However, in
certain embodiments, the alarm device may be associated with
multiple plunger switches 112. In this configuration, the plunger
switches 112 may each be associated with an individual pusher
system 100 and located in a similar position as shown in FIG. 2,
but instead of being associated with its own alarm device 102 the
plunger switches 112 are connected along an electrical track such
that if merchandise is removed from one individual pusher system
100 the alarm will activate, as described, to indicate that product
has been removed from group of pusher systems 100 monitored by the
alarm device 102. This allows multiple pusher systems 100 to be
monitored by a single alarm device 102.
FIG. 3 illustrates the alarm device 102 secured to the front stop
108 of the pusher system 100 (see FIG. 1). The front stop 108
includes a securing structure, which in the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 3 is in the form of two hook-shaped
projections 126, 128. The hook-shaped projections 126, 128 extend
perpendicular from an inner face 138 of the front stop 108 and
curve back toward the inner face 138 at a distal end of the
hook-shaped projections 126, 128. The hook-shaped projections' 126,
128 curved distal ends curve in opposite directions from each other
and toward a center line 154 such that a securing pocket 130 is
formed. The securing pocket 130 is formed by the two hook-shaped
projections 126, 128 and a floor 152 of the front stop 108. The
securing pocket 130 dimensions are such that when the alarm device
102 is inserted into the securing pocket 130, it is substantially
fixed to the inner face 138 of the front stop 108.
Furthermore, the front stop 108 includes two fastening structures
144, 146. The two fastening structures 144, 146 define two passages
148, 150 that are hollowed such that upturned ends 160, 162 of
outer guide rails 156, 158 are slideably disposed within the
passages 148, 150. Therefore, the front stop 108 is secured to the
pusher system 100 by the upturned ends 160, 162 inserted into the
passages 148, 150.
Additionally, the alarm device 102 may be fixed to the front stop
108 by a variety of methods, such as the use of adhesive strips, in
particular foam adhesive strips. The adhesive strips may be used as
either in conjunction with the securing pocket 130 or on its own in
an embodiment of the front plate 108 that does not include the
securing pocket 130.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a front and back, respectively, of the
alarm device 102. As shown in FIG. 4, the alarm device 102 includes
a front surface 116 from which an annular wall 124 extends. The
annular wall 124 defines a space that holds the plunger switch 112,
which activates and deactivates the alarm of the alarm device
102.
Furthermore, the alarm device 102 includes two indicator lights
120, 122. Indicator lights 120, 122 provide a visual indication of
whether the alarm device is turned on and when the alarm of the
alarm device is activated. While the indicator lights illustrated
in FIGS. 1-5 are located on the alarm device 102, it is
contemplated that the indicator lights could also be fixed to a
front face 164 of the front stop 108. In this configuration, the
indicator lights will be easier to view from a position further
away from the actual pusher system.
FIG. 5 illustrates the back surface 118 of the alarm device 102.
The back surface 118 of the alarm device 102 includes a battery
cover 132, which is removable to provide access to a battery port
(not illustrated) where a battery or batteries would be disposed in
order to provide power to the alarm device 102. However, it is
contemplated that other embodiments of the alarm device 102 may not
be powered by battery, but rather be powered directly from an
external power source.
FIG. 5 also illustrates a resonant cavity 110. Resonant cavity 110
allows an audible alarm generated by an internal speaker or noise
generation device (not illustrated) to be heard outside of the
alarm device 102. The resonant cavity 110 as illustrated in FIG. 4
includes two triangular openings in the back surface 118 of the
alarm device 102. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand
that triangular openings are one of several geometries that will
allow a sufficient opening such that the audible alarm emanating
from the resonant cavity 110 will be loud enough to serve the
purpose of warning employees that merchandise 104 (see FIG. 1) has
been removed from the pusher system 100 (see FIG. 1).
FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart 200 detailing a specific method of
instituting a timed alarm in the alarm device 102 (see FIGS. 1-5).
The flow chart 200 begins with a decision block 202, which asks
whether merchandise has been removed from a pusher system monitored
by an alarm device 102. As described above, the alarm device 102
includes a triggering mechanism 112 that indicates when merchandise
has been removed from the pusher system. If this triggering
mechanism 112 has not been actuated then the alarm device 102 does
not issue an alarm. This state is represented by the "no alarm" box
204.
However, if the triggering mechanism 112 indicates that merchandise
has been removed, then the alarm device 102 provides a first timed
alarm 206. Generally, the first timed alarm 206 is a light chime or
sound to merely indicate to the store employees that merchandise
has been removed and to the customer that the merchandise is being
monitored. After the first timed alarm 206 expires, the flow chart
200 includes a delay block 208, which indicates a two second delay.
After the expiration of the two second delay, the flow chart 200
asks whether merchandise has once again engaged the triggering
mechanism 112. If the answer to this question is yes, then the flow
chart 200 proceeds back to the no alarm box 204.
However, if once again, merchandise is not engaging the triggering
mechanism 112, then a second timed alarm 212 is issued from the
alarm device 102. After the expiration of the second timed alarm
212, the flow chart 200 includes a second delay block 214, which
indicates a four second delay. After expiration of the four second
delay, the flow chart 200 includes a decision block 216 that asks
once again whether merchandise has engaged the triggering mechanism
112. If the answer to this question is yes, then the flow chart 200
proceeds back to the no alarm box 204. If merchandise has not
engaged the triggering mechanism 112 after the expiration of the
four second delay, then a final alarm 218 is issued from the alarm
device 102. The final alarm 218 is a much longer timed alarm that
generally last for 30 seconds.
The second and final timed alarm 212, 218 are generally present to
indicate to retail store employees that a pusher system 100 (see
FIGS. 1-2) no longer has merchandise displayed. However, the second
and final alarms 212, 218 also will indicate a malfunctioning
pusher system 100 in that if the pusher plate 106 is stuck or the
biasing mechanism fails, then the merchandise will not be biased in
the biasing direction 114 to engage the triggering mechanism
112.
The above description of the operation of the method of instituting
a timed alarm detailed in flow chart 200 includes specific times
for delays of two second for the first delay 208 and four seconds
for the second delay 216. One of ordinary skill in the art would
realize that these times can be increased or decreased based on the
specific retail environment. Further, one of ordinary skill in the
art would also realize that the length of the first, second, or
third timed alarm could also be lengthened or shortened based on
the specific retail environment in which the alarm device 102 is
employed.
Furthermore, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6
can be adapted to operate where the alarm device 102 triggers a
store pager system. In this configuration, the final alarm 218 may
or may not be silent, and at the final alarm block 218, the alarm
device 102 will transmit a message to the store pager system that
will cause an announcement that help is needed in the specific
section of the store where the alarm device 102 is located. Also,
while in this embodiment, the message is transmitted at the final
alarm stage 218, in other embodiments, the message may be
transmitted earlier during the first or second alarm stages 206,
212.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and
patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically
indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its
entirety herein.
The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents
in the context of describing the invention (especially in the
context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both
the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or
clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having,"
"including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended
terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless
otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely
intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually
to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise
indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein. All
methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language
(e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better
illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the
scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the
specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed
element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein,
including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the
invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the
foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *
References